Tales of Avanturia 1

Chapter 16: Request From An Old Friend

„Uncle...?"

„Uncle?!"

„Lucia!"

The joy, and the confusion, was big as the young heir to the Florentin family entered Fenrock's old attic, meeting their coincidental visitor for the first time... again.

„It's been so long since we've last met, uncle Ralof!" Lucia said, hugging her old uncle.

„Far too long, my dear." Ralof replied, „And look how you've grown! Such a beautiful young woman! But how come, I've never noticed, that you were a Blood Rose?"

„I don't know, I just never really mentioned it." Lucia said, „But things have turned out wonderfully for me since the others took me with them. I finally spoke myself free of my parents!"

„That is wonderful, Lucia. I always knew, you'd find your path one day."

„And this way I can not only do good things, but I can also see something of the world, visit places I've never seen before!"

„I hate to interrupt you're happy reunion," Fenrock said, „But what brings you here, Ralof?" he asked.

„Right.." The old man replied, „I'm here to bring you a message."

„From whom?" Fenrock asked

„An old friend."

Ralof handed him a letter and just by the seal on the it, he went, „Not again.." The letter was sent from the Kirishu islands northeast of Avanturia. The Kirishu islands are a very important alley to Avanturia aswell as Vylaria and let's just say that they.. have a bit of an honour tick. They have a very different culture from what someone from Avanturia is used to; food, clothes, artstyle, habits - especially habits, yeah, you know, stuff like this (basically Japan-ish stuff). Their signature... thing.. by the way, is the cherry tree because there are lots of those on the islands.

„Yep, him again." Ralof replied laughing.

The other three just looked at each other in confusion. Then Fenrock started to read, „...*sigh* I should just decline..." he mumbled.

„But you won't, am I right?" Ralof asked.

„..Of course not.." He then turned to the others, „Guys, looks like our next trip brings us to Kirishu. Yay..!"

„The Kirishu islands? That's amazing!" Lucia exclaimed.

„I've always wanted to go there, how exciting!" Bella added.

„Ouh, the feudal islands, I've never been there before." Brynjolf said lastly.

„Yeah, hold your excitement, because we're going to visit another friend of mine." He turned to Ralof, „I really have a hard time calling him a friend.."

„Tell us about him!" Lucia demanded.

„Well, he's involved into the trades between Avanturia and Kirishu. He's the CEO of a trading company, one of the major ones over there and he wants us to help him out with something. He wrote, that we are the only ones capable of doing this." Fenrock explained.

„Doing what?" Bell asked.

„As usual, he didn't bother to write what our mission was." Fenrock said.

„Like that's something new to us." Brynjolf mentioned.

„He'll be delighted to hear that you're accepting his request." Ralof said, „Well, I wish I could come, but I have to return to Autumn Fall."

„Why?" Lucia asked.

„Because Asbjorn Iron-hand, the major of the city has requested the aid of an archmage and I wouldn't want to ignore the request of my home's lead." he replied, „I'm sorry, but I assure you, that I'll see you again as soon as you return!"

„I take your word, uncle!" Lucia said, hugging him.

After he said goodbye to everyone and left, the Blood Roses started to pack. They'd head out the next morning already. Bella and Brynjolf headed to their home and Lucia and Fenrock stayed at Fenrock's place – their home.

„Oh, by the way," said Fenrock, „Bella brought your new things, they're in the bedroom."

„'K, thanks!" Lucia replied.

After they packed, everyone went sleeping, they'd need it because they had to get up early to make it in time. Well, let's just say, they more or less did.

Fenrock stood on his balcony, looking at the city with a glass of whiskey in his hand. Luckily, his attic was on a higher position, so he had a marvelous view over the city and all it's vibrant lights. Everytime it was astonishing, everything seemed so peaceful and looked even prettier thanks to all the fairy lights and lanterns.

Brynjolf and Bella were in their apartment talking about this and that, just having a nice evening and Lucia?

Well, Lucia was lying in her bed, looking out of the window full of excitement. She still didn't quite get over the fact, that now everything was different, her life had changed – deffinitely for the better. Via magic she drew and wrote things in the air as she dreamed of all the things, they'll see and all the things they'll do together. She couldn't await it!

As said before, the next day started early. Everyone of our four Blood Roses was ready and more or less excited to go – yes, even Fenrock. For him it was more the excitement of seeing everything and everyone from that time again and to see the culture of this wonderful country.

Lucia wore her new attire, which Bella made for her (Yep, y'all know, what that means!).

She wore wine-red high-crop shorts, a white, longsleeved shirt, the sleeves rolled up, and above this a brown vest and a black, hooded cardigan. On her right arm she wore a long fingerless leather glove with lots of straps and buckles around it.

She wore brown, mid-calf, shearling suede combat boots and on her head, of course her bandana. Around her body, she also had a new proper leather strap with holder for her sword.

They were on their way to the harbour of Ravigrad, which was a small one, only used for traveling and not like the one in Autumn Fall which was way bigger and also used for trading.

They all got on board and the ship soon afterwards departed, setting of for Kirishu. However, while the two girls were full of excitement over their travel and their next adventure, Fenrock and Brynjolf had the strange feeling that they were being watched by someone. They'd have to be careful over there...